Cardinals 5, Mets 4

June 04, 2012|Reuters

Cardinals 5, Mets 4: Allen Craig hit the go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning as St. Louis snapped a five-game losing streak and avoided a four-game sweep in New York.

Just moments after the Mets had evened the score on Scott Hairstonâs pinch-hit two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh, Craig came up with one on and one out against Jon Rauch (3-5) and deposited a 2-1 pitch into the left-field seats.

Jason Motte came in to retire David Wright to end an eighth-inning Mets rally and then worked a 1-2-3 ninth to save it for reliever Marc Rzepczynski (1-3), who earned the win despite allowing two runs in the seventh inning.

The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth on an RBI single by Craig. The Mets drew even in the bottom of the inning on Lucas Dudaâs solo home run to right.

St. Louis responded with two runs in the seventh, as Craig scored on a Dillon Gee throwing error and Rafael Furcal extended the lead with an RBI groundout.

Gee limited St. Louis to two earned runs on six hits in seven innings. He struck out eight and walked two.

Kyle Lohse worked six innings for the Cardinals, allowing just one run on two hits. He struck out three and didn't walk a batter.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Mets LHP Johan Santana, who threw a no-hitter in last Friday's series opener, was named the National League Player of the Week on Monday. ... Craig's home run was his first since being activated from the disabled list Friday after missing two weeks with a strained right hamstring. ... St. Louis came into Monday having scored just one run through the first three games of the series. ... Wright scored his 735th career run on Hairston's homer, tying him with Jose Reyes for the all-time franchise lead.